Would You Rather: Ex-Detroit Pistons Edition
By Curtis Brown
Small Forward: Stanley Johnson versus Khris Middleton
Current Pistons small forward: Stanley Johnson
It appeared as though Stanley Johnson was entrenched in the starting lineup at small forward since shipping out Avery Bradley and Tobias Harris, moving Bullock over to shooting guard.
However the past three games he has moved into the sixth man role, with James Ennis starting. Even though Ennis is starting, I am going to choose Stanley Johnson as the small forward here.
Johnson has averaged 8.8 points per game with 29.1 percent from three in 27.7 minutes. However in the 14 games since Blake Griffin has joined the team, Johnson has increased those numbers to 10.9 points and shooting 32.6 percent from three point range.
He is getting better looks, and playing better more aggressive basketball with his expanded.
Ex-Pistons small forward: Khris Middleton
Middleton left the Pistons as part of the Brandon Jennings for Brandon Knight swap, and since becoming a Milwaukee Buck he has been a borderline star. Along with Giannis Antetokounmpo he seems to be the heart of the Buck’s team.
This year Middleton is scoring 20.1 points per game, with 5.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists. He is also shooting 46.4 percent from the field and 34.4 from three, in 36.6 minutes per game.
Not so honorable mention: Kyle Singler has hardly played for the Oklahoma City Thunder this year averaging career lows in points, 1.9, minutes, 4.9, and games played, 12.
So, would you rather have Johnson or Middleton?
If only Joe Dumars had the foresight to see that a Brandon Jennings-Josh Smith super-team wouldn’t be effective, we might still have this talented wing player around. I am as big of a Stanley Johnson fan as anybody, but this is a no brainer.
Give us back our Middleton!